GOVERNMENT SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL CHILDRENS' CLUBS

Published in Mid Devon Gazette on Thu 17th Sep 2009

The very backbone of our children's local social networks be they sporting or social clubs, are supportive parents who week after week step in to offer a welcome helping hand. But under new Government legislation there is now a terrible presumption of guilt before being proven innocent. As my colleague Chris Huhne recently put it the Government is "in danger of creating a world in which we think every adult who approaches children means to do them harm," and this is a very sad state of affairs.

The recent furore over the Government's Vetting and Barring Scheme focuses on every parent's worst fear, but it also raises the question of whether the Government has finally gone too far in its bid to safeguard our young from sexual predators. No one can claim that vetting people who work in regular close proximity to children and young adults is a bad thing. Certainly no one wants a repeat of the appalling Soham murders. But vetting every volunteer who has occasional contact seems a step too far.

It is claimed that 300,000 school governors, as well as every doctor, nurse, dentist and prison officer will have to sign up, and yet it is extremely rare for any of these professionals to be left unchaperoned with children. Figures released claim that over 11 million people may have to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority - any club using non vetted volunteers could face a £5,000 fine. Such a sum would be prohibitive for many groups.

The worry is that this will deter well intentioned parents who volunteer to drop off or collect other people's children or even help out very occasionally. Although the Government states that informal arrangements will not be included, this seems to suggest a legal grey area which may cause concern.

However, some have little faith in the Criminal Records Bureau checks which simply flag up passed convictions; the VBS is to coordinate intelligence and update information for employers. This has to be a good thing. The Government's announcement that the VBS regulations are to be reviewed may be a sign that common sense might prevail.